Hiller UH-12E N440NR

Summary

On 1 January 2010 at about 19:42 local time, a Hiller UH-12E registered N440NR, operated by Costa Spraying Inc, was involved in an accident near Tipton, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 January 2010 at 19:42

Classification

Accident

Location

Tipton, California, United States

Nearest airport

Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS)

Coordinates

36.0689, -119.2611

Aircraft

Hiller UH-12E

Registration

N440NR

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Costa Spraying Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tipton → Tipton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10CA094

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While maneuvering at low level over a field during an aerial application flight, the helicopter pilot took his hand off the collective to adjust the sun visor because the sun was in his eyes. The pilot reported that he had used his leg to block the collective from moving as he adjusted the visor. The helicopter hit mild turbulence and bumped his leg away from the collective. The collective slipped down, and the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled over on its side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and cockpit. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter's flight control system or engine prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.